Educational Administration & Supervision

Superintendent of Schools Specialist Certificate

Program Details

The department offers a course of study leading to the Specialist Certificate in Administrative Leadership - required for licensure as a school superintendent. A master's degree and licensure as a school principal are prerequisites to licensure as a superintendent. Credits and course requirements depend upon the applicant's degree field. For an applicant with a master's degree in Educational Administration, the minimum credit requirement is 27 graduate credits. For an applicant with a master's degree earned in a field other than Educational Administration, the minimum credit requirement is 30 graduate credits.

Students who have completed post master's courses and are pursuing Superintendent licensure may be able to use prior course work to substitute for the elective or required courses. All electives or course substitutions must be approved by an advisor. Students who are seeking a Ph.D. degree may complete course requirements for Superintendent licensure as part of the doctoral program.

Candidates not working toward their doctorate must complete a Specialist Applied Field Study Project (through AD LDSP 892). This is a field-based research project that demonstrates a candidate's ability to apply research gleaned through the program of study research into practical application. Typically, candidates complete this in 1-3 semesters under the supervision of a university faculty advisor. Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, all applicants must also complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.

Program of Study

Common Core (18 credits)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the departmental requirements:

• Completion of a master's degree with a grade point average of 3.5 or above (4.0 scale). The master's degree may be in any field of study.
• Submission of application for Superintendent Certification Program, which includes transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a written statement
• Admission to the Graduate School as a non-degree student
  

Applicants not meeting the grade point minimum may be admitted upon submission of additional data to be specified by Department chair.

Completion of the Specialist certificate will meet Wisconsin academic requirements for certification as a superintendent only if the program includes specific courses required by the certification code. If certification is a goal, advisors must be notified in order to insure that all required course work is included in a program.

The Superintendent of Schools Specialist Certificate is subject to gainful employment regulations. For more information please visit: http://www4.uwm.edu/financialaid/EligConsInfo/gainfulemployment.cfm